Don't know what that thingy is...BUT I do have an idea about your lights. In a previous life I worked as a microfilm equipment repairman. Some of the stuff I worked on used automotive bulbs for lighting. Over time the vibration of the machine would cause the solder contacts on these bulbs to flatten out and lose contact with the socket contacts making the bulbs flicker and/or go out. Sounds like a similar situation to me..........FWIWDale MC8